He then affected to dismiss the subject, and said, “Let me enjoy the hours that are left me. Much misery or much bliss can be condensed in a few days. I will enjoy the blessed time, and we will wait for the chapter of accidents that is sure to part us.” Then he acted reckless happiness, and broke down at last. She cried, but showed no sign of yielding. Her pride and self-respect were roused and on their defense. The next day he came to her quietly sad. He seemed languid and listless, and to care for nothing. He was artful enough to tell her, on the information of Poikilus, that Vizard had hired the cathedral choir three times a week to sing to his inamorata; and that he had driven her about Taddington, dressed like a duchess, in a whole suit of sables. At that word the girl turned pale. He observed, and continued: “And it seems these sables are known throughout the county. There were several carriages in the town, and my informant heard a lady say they were Mrs. Vizard's sables, worth five hundred guineas--a Russian princess gave them her.” “It is quite true,” said Zoe. “His mother's sables! Is it possible!” “They all say he is caught at last, and this is to be the next Mrs. Vizard.” “They may well say so, if he parades her in his mother's sables,” said Zoe, and could not conceal her jealousy and her indignation. “I never dared so much as ask his permission to wear them,” said she. “And if you had, he would have told you the relics of a saint were not to be played with.” “That is just what he would have said, I do believe.” The female heart was stung. “Ah, well,” said Severne, “I am sure I should not grudge him his happiness, if you would see things as he does, and be as brave as he is.” “Thank you,” said Zoe. “Women cannot defy the world as men do.” Then, passionately, “Why do you torment me so? why do you urge me so? a poor girl, all alone, and far from advice. What on earth would you have me do?” “Secure us against another separation, unite us in bliss forever.” “And so I would if I could; you know I would. But it is impossible.” “No, Zoe; it is easy. There are two ways: we can reach Scotland in eight hours; and there, by a simple writing and declaration before witnesses, we are man and wife.” “A Gretna Green marriage?” “It is just as much a legal marriage as if a bishop married us at St. Paul's. However, we could follow it up immediately by marriage in a church, either in Scotland or the North of England But there is another way: we can be married at Bagley, any day, before the registrar.” “Is that a marriage--a real marriage?” “As real, as legal, as binding as a wedding in St. Paul's.” “Nobody in this county has ever been married so. I should blush to be seen about after it.” “Our first happy year would not be passed in this country. We should go abroad for six months.” “Ay, fly from shame.”